Positive Core Belief Evidence Record

Core beliefs are the most fundamental level of cognition and are embedded in schemas. Schemas are an important cognitive structure in the cognitive theory of psychopathology and are believed to contribute to both the development and maintenance of psychological disorders, as well as their recurrence and relapse (Arntz, 2018; Riso & McBride, 2007). Beck (1967) defines schemas as structures “for screening, coding, and evaluating the stimuli that impinge on the organism” (p.283). In this context, core beliefs comprise the verbal representation or ‘content’ of a schema (Beck, 2011; Wills, 2022).

Core beliefs are global, unconditional, and overgeneralized beliefs about the self, other people, and the world. Also referred to as ‘unconditional beliefs’ or ‘central assumptions’, they are usually phrased as all-or-nothing, absolute truths (e.g., “I am good”, “I am bad”) and are experienced by individuals as “just the way things are” (Dowd, 2002).

Core beliefs are also strongly held and

"It sounds as though the negative core belief you hold about <yourself / other people / the world> plays an important role in your difficulties. One way that we can address this negative belief is to help you develop a new, positive belief about <yourself / other people / the world>. Would you like to try this?"

Your new positive core belief

Help the client identify a new core belief that they want to strengthen. Some clients readily identify a positive belief they held before the onset of their difficulties, while others need to construct an entirely new one. Either way, ensure the belief is stated in the client’s own words and uses emotionally resonant language. If the client is multilingual, encourage them to use the language that best relates to their difficulties (Padesky & Greenberger, 2020). Finding the right wording for this belief may take several weeks and clients

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